Expression of miRNAs as Important Element of Melanoma Cell Plasticity in Response to Microenvironmental Stimuli.

Background: Melanoma cells form monolayers in serum-containing media, however, in serum-free media they form anchorage-independent spheroids. We investigated miRNAs differentially expressed between these culture types and identified those that possibly control the plasticity of melanoma cells.

Materials And Methods: The expression of miRNAs in melanoma cells was evaluated with microarrays, and certain miRNAs were validated with real-time PCR. Several bioinformatic tools were used to assess the involvement of identified miRNAs in cancer-related pathways, and to compile the results of mRNA microarray data from the same melanoma cells.

Results: A total of 19 miRNAs were differentially expressed between monolayers and spheroids. miRNAs up-regulated in spheroids modulated cell motility and migration, whereas those up-regulated in monolayers suppressed melanogenesis.

Conclusion: The present study identified those miRNAs that participate in the regulation of melanoma cell plasticity.